Car Rental at BJX from $1/day

[mr bill]

ah, if it were true. Has anyone had any experience as to what it really costs to get the keys and leave the counter?
What hidden fees become mandatory ?

[jesm]

Cannot speak as to this BJX " come-on" but did run into a similar situation at Villahernosa. Booked a Dollar economy car via Orbitz for 8 days, $51 for the total. Then find out there is a "mandatory" liability insurance adder of $14 per day! All up cost would be around $175! Still shopping.

[Lisa Andrews]

I did checks with all of them last time I rented ends up being about $100/day with full insurance. If you con't get full insurance they can charge you heaps for a tiny scratch that was there before since you have already signed a waiver, I've heard of it happening even when it has been written down on the signing paper and I wouldn't want to take the mexican system on. It is optional but I didn't want to take the risk, so so many stories around the world about it!
Depending on where you are going cheaper to hire in Irapuato (or maybe Leon) as there is no airport fee, you can get there by bus but if straight to and from the airport there are pretty limited options.

[Victor David]

This is complete and utter BS. I went to rent a car a couple of months ago. After they tallied it all up, it was - as Lisa said - closer to $100 a day. I told them no thanks. Those kind of tactics turn me off.

So, yep: too good to be true.

[DonaldW]

Confirmed - also true in other cities I have tried. Also the lowest liability coverage they sell most often comes with a $5000 or greater deductible, so don't forget to ask about that once they force you to take their insurance. Hard to find a car under $100 a day with $500 deductible or lower.

[jesm]

Just completed 10 days in Tabasco and Chiapas. Reserved with Dollar, via Orbitz seach site, for Villahermosa pickup on one of these teaser rates. $54 us/ for 7 days small car, standard shift. Arrive and with mandatory insurances( plural) and add-ons they wanted 9500 pesos total for 7/days ($85us/day) showing me their disclaimer thal each location could have other fees, some mandatory, but be upgraded to a mid size. They also wanted to put a "hold" ala deposit for 10,000 on the card until the vehcle was returned OK.
I went over to the National counter, explained what had just occurred next door. In 5 minutes he is on his computer offering an SUV, at $50 us day, all up w/ top insurance, no deposit just a credit card, or small car with auto and a/c for $40. He explained when you arrive without reservation and they have cars sitting they can get very competitve and flexible. Once you reserve and are in the corporate system that negotiating is lost. He confirms those low-ball rates are never available, always adders.
Lesson learned.
Chiapas is beyond words. Go there!

[mr bill]

In Monterrey I rented a mid-sized car from Alamo [Oct29-31] the cost broke down as follows:

Day rate x 2 @78.00.........158.00
CDW x2 @270..................540.00
TPL x 2 @230...................460.00
USA x 1 @169.60..............169.60 looks like they forgot to charge me the 2nd day and left me uncovered
Airport fee 18%................238.61
SUBTOTAL......................1564.21
IVA 16%.........................250.27
TOTAL...........................1814.48 ABOUT US$53/day


The Mexican mandatory insurance was included in the daily base rate. A US$500 hold was placed on my AMEX and there was no pressure to take any additional insurance.

The CDW/TPL were optional. USA was required to cross the border
TPL = 3rd Party Liability

[sailsequoyah]

I just rented for a week from SIXT and had a very positive experience.

They include the mandatory liability insurance in their rates, which most other companies do not.

The CDW or other waivers are optional. If you reserve the car with some credits cards (particularly AMEX) and pay for it with the same card, they will cover you. SIXT did not give me a problem about this at all.

If you do not have a credit card that will cover you, you are strongly encouraged to get the optional insurance.

Make sure you go over the car very carefully before accepting it. Take pictures of any and all damage that is already there.

Overall, my total cost with an additional driver was less than $2000 pesos for the week and my card was charged only $122.

The optional insurance will probably double that cost if you have to get it.

[doncoulter]

Be careful about declining the CDW, especially if you use American Express. I rented a car on a recent visit to the States, and I checked my credit-card terms of service beforehand. I learned to my surprise that Amex wouldn't cover me, because I live in Mexico. I haven't looked into this, but I imagine the same policy would apply were I to rent a car here. It's possible that this policy varies depending on the type of Amex card one has--mine is a Gold Card--but I'd advise Mexican residents to check the fine print before renting.

I checked the coverage on my Visa cards as well and learned that they did cover me, so I used a Visa for the rental.

Don

[sailsequoyah]

Good advice on checking your credit card coverage.

I did check with AMEX (I have a Delta SkyMiles card) and they said I was covered. The one possible hitch is that you have to make the reservation using the card, which isn't often an option when you are using the internet.